Cyberbulling is not only vicious to its victims, it's also a vicious cycle.
A new B.C.-based study has found that youth who are cyberbullied are 10 times more likely to bully someone else, and are at a higher risk for suicide. It also called on adults to do more than just say "turn off the computer."
A report was released in January by the McCreary Centre, as a result of surveying 30,000 students across the province, including in Chilliwack.
What they found may shock adults, but would likely not come as a surprise to teens, as it has affected so many of them. The study found that seven percent of males and 6 per cent of females reported they had used technology to bully or pick on someone in the past 12 months. Youth who had been cyberbullied themselves were about 10 times as likely to be perpetrators as those who had not been cyberbullied (29% vs. 3%).
The report, titled Untangling the Web, also looked at sexting among B.C. youth. When surveyed, the youth were asked if they sexted (texting or messaging sexual content or images), and 11% of males had, compared to six per cent of females.
It also confirmed that the internet is not the safest place to hang out, finding that about 1 in 5 female students and 1 in 10 males had met someone online who made them feel unsafe.
They found that youth who had positive relationships and other supports were less likely to experience online victimizations or engage with technology in ways that put them at risk.
Having supportive relationships also drastically reduced the risk of suicide. The report said that among youth who were victimized online, 20% of those who had a supportive adult in their family seriously considered suicide ,compared to 50% who did not have this type of support.
Youth who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are at a greater risk than heterosexual youth when it comes to cyber-safety. So are youth with health conditions or disabilities, who have poor self image, or who had experienced abuse or other types of violence.
But beyond the number, the report included a message to adults on how to help curb cyberbullying.
"When we took these results back to young people, they told us that for the most part they really don't know how to protect themselves online or what to do when they have a bad experience," said Annie Smith, executive director for the McCreary Centre Society. "They are looking to the adults in their life to support and guide them through this, but often feel that adults don't know what to do either, other than telling them to turn their computer off, which is just not realistic for most teenagers."
She said the report also "clearly shows us it is often much more complicated than being either a victim or a perpetrator, and that we need to increase young people’s awareness about how their online behaviour might affect others."
Students surveyed were aged 12-19, in 56 or 59 school districts.
The report included plenty of highlights about risks and behaviours.
Among them, was the finding that youth who engaged in sexting were more likely to engage in sexual activity and in risky sexual behaviour. For example, 36% of 13-year-olds who had sexted had also had oral sex, compared to 3% of those who had not sexted.
But overall, all youth had better chances avoiding cyberthreats if they felt listened to by adults, including parents, teachers, counsellors and coaches, if they had strong friendships, were kept busy in activities away from technology, and had good self-esteem.
To read the full report, click here: Untangling the Web
